ANNA—And may the blackest curse of God strike me if I'm lying!
BURKE—[With a stupendous sigh.] Oh, glory be to God, I'm after believing you now! [He takes the cross from her hand, his face beaming with joy, and puts it back in his pocket. He puts his arm about her waist and is about to kiss her when he stops, appalled by some terrible doubt.]
ANNA—[Alarmed.] What's the matter with you?
BURKE—[With sudden fierce questioning.] Is it Catholic ye are?
ANNA—[Confused.] No. Why?
BURKE—[Filled with a sort of bewildered foreboding.] Oh, God, help me! [With a dark glance of suspicion at her.] There's some divil's trickery in it, to be swearing an oath on a Catholic cross and you wan of the others.
ANNA—[Distractedly.] Oh, Mat, don't you believe me?
BURKE—[Miserably.] If it isn't a Catholic you are—
ANNA—I ain't nothing. What's the difference? Didn't you hear me swear?
BURKE—[Passionately.] Oh, I'd a right to stay away from you—but I couldn't! I was loving you in spite of it all and wanting to be with you, God forgive me, no matter what you are. I'd go mad if I'd not have you! I'd be killing the world—[He seizes her in his arms and kisses her fiercely.]